WASHINGTON (April 14, 2024) – Howard softball (29-8, 13-2 MEAC) clinched its fifth conference series of the season with Sunday's 10-2 win over Coppin State (16-15, 11-4 MEAC).
 
Planning a comeback from Saturday's split, the Bison kept the Eagles in the nest - completing the top of the first in three-up-three-down fashion.
 
Leadoff hitter Kenna Higa (Honolulu) set the tone for the Bison by sending a double to center. Next, beautifully executed back-to-back bunt singles pushed her across home plate. 1-0. Payton Quinonez (Tulare, Calif.) drove in Bianca Worthy (Goodyear, Ariz.) with a single to left center to pull away, 2-0.
 
The Bison stunted Coppin State (CSU) in the top of the second with catches in center field and a strikeout looking.
 
Howard continued to be aggressive in both halves, doubling its score in the second. Worthy sent another well-executed bunt single, loading the bases and prompting a meeting on the mound. Sophomore standout Maryn Jordan (San Diego) followed up with a hit to left center, bringing in Lealani Ricks (Madera, Calif.), 3-0. First-year Bison Merci Hart (Los Angeles) reached on the throw to third while Higa crossed the plate, 4-0.
 
Catches in the outfield and strikeouts looking plagued the Eagles as the Bison closed the half with three batters faced.
 
An error aided the Bison on their fifth run as Rick's sac bunt placed her on first base. The first baseman's error allowed Kelsie Jarrett (Nashville, Tenn.) to make it back home. The play prompted a swap on the mound. Senior pitcher Vanessa Carrizosa (Moreno Valley, Calif.) managed to get the pick-off at third for Howard's first out. Higa, back up at bat, doubled to left center for an RBI and 6-0 lead in the third. Worthy followed with a hit to left field, forcing Higa across home plate, 7-0.
 
Three quick outs at the top of the fourth made way for the Bison's offensive front. Alyssa Vasquez (Eastvale, Calif.) doubled to right center while notching another RBI on the weekend before stealing third, 8-0. Vasquez crossed home for the Bison's final run of the inning, thanks to an error in the infield, 9-0.
 
Working to keep the game alive, a hit down the left side and a fielder's choice resulted in Coppin's first two runs of the game.
 
The Eagles' celebration would soon come to an end as Kelyse Stewart's (Lee's Summit, Mo.) double to left center gave time for Jordan to post the 10^th and final score for the Bison, closing the game in five.
 
Howard softball is back in action next weekend (April 20-21) when they face Morgan State in Baltimore.
 
For more information visit the Howard Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.